Multi-band memory assembly

ABSTRACT

A waveband memory assembly in a dual band radio receiver includes a plurality of memory tabs mounted for pivotal movement on a slide plate; the latter being movable sidewise to two positions representing two radio waveband settings. Each memory tab is associated with a pushbutton selector, and includes a pair of wing-like projections extending outwardly from one end thereof and an elongated leg portion extending outwardly in the direction generally opposite thereto. Each of the memory tabs is pivotal to two positions representing the two waveband settings. Inward movement of the pushbutton moves a guide member depending therefrom into engagement with the elongated leg portion of a corresponding memory tab to move the slide plate to a position corresponding to that of the memory tab. Withdrawal of the pushbutton moves a finger-like projection on the pushbutton into engagement with the wing-like projections and ultimately into a recess therebetween. Subsequent thereto, the slide plate may be moved to a desired waveband setting. The memory tab is pivoted to the selected setting in accordance with the movement of the slide plate while the finger-like projection remains in the recess.

United States Patent Fiore et a1.

[54] MULTI-BAND NIEMORY ASSEMBLY [72] Inventors: Jack C. Flore, Chicago;M. Richard Tennerstedt, Wilmette, both of I11.

Assignee: Motorola, Inc., Franklin Park, 111.

Filed: Aug. 19, 1971 Appl. No.: 173,165

US. Cl ..325/470, 325/458 Int. Cl. ..H04b 1/16 Field of Search..325/470, 455, 452, 458, 467, 325/460, 462, 315, 316; 178/D1G. 15;

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1971 Evans ..325/452 3/1972 5/1970 6/1968 3/ 1959 Abe et al. ..325/458 Slavin 325/458 Sacre325/470 Primary Examiner-Howard W. Britton Assistant Examiner-AlfredI-l. Eddleman Attorney-Vincent Rauner et a1.

Keese ...325/470 Us] 3,704,424 [451 Nov. 28, 1972 [57] ABSTRACT Awaveband memory assembly in a dual band radio receiver includes aplurality of memory tabs mounted for pivotal movement on a slide plate;the latter being movable sidewise to two positions representing tworadio waveband settings. Each memory tab is associated with a pushbuttonselector, and includes a pair of wing-like projections extendingoutwardly from one end thereof and an elongated leg portion extendingoutwardly in the direction generally opposite thereto. Each of thememory tabs is pivotal to two positions representing the two wavebandsettings. Inward movement of the pushbutton moves a guide memberdepending therefrom into engagement with the elongated leg portion of acorresponding memory tab to move the slide plate to a positioncorresponding to that of the memory tab. Withdrawal of the pushbuttonmoves a finger-like projection on the pushbutton into engagement withthe wing-like projections and ultimately into a recess therebetween.Subsequent thereto, the slide plate may be moved to a desired wavebandsetting. The memory tab is pivoted to the selected setting in accordancewith the movement of the slide plate while the finger-like projectionremains in the recess.

6 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures MULTI-BAND MEMORY ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION This invention relates generally to dual band pushbutton typeradio receivers and more particularly to memory devices used in suchradio receivers for programming the selection of predeterminedfrequencies on selected wavebands to be recalled upon inward movement ofthe pushbuttons.

Pushbutton operated memory assembly for selecting a preset waveband in adual band radio receiver are known in the art. One such memory assemblydescribed and illustrated in co-pending US. Pat. application, Ser. No.135,912, filed Apr. 21, 1971, in the name of Jack C. Fiore and assignedto the same assignee as the instant invention, includes unique bandsetting memory tabs mounted for pivotal movement on a linearly movableband selecting plate. A finger associated with each of the pushbuttonsis moved upon pulling a corresponding pushbutton outwardly of .the radioreceiver, to set the memory tab in accordance with a selected positionof the band selectin'gplate. Thus, upon depression of the pushbuttonsubsequently, the preset radio waveband is recalled.

While the last-described arrangement operates satisfactorily to recallthe preselected radio waveband once the memory tab is set, in order toset the memory tab to a preselected band position, one must first movethe band selector plate to the desired band and thereafter withdraw thepushbutton. Once the pushbutton is withdrawn, the band selector platecannot be shifted to the unselected band without first reinstating thepushbutton to its normal operative position. Thus if one desires tochange the band selection after withdrawal of the pushbutton, he mustfirst depress the pushbutton, change the band plate position andthereafter withdraw the pushbutton once again.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a primary object of thepresent invention to provide in a dual waveband pushbutton type radioreceiver an improved memory assembly with which radio stations can beprogrammed on either waveband and wherein the band selector can beshifted between bands with the pushbutton in the withdrawn position.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an assembly ofthe above-described type which is simple and efficient in operation andis relatively low in cost.

Briefly, a preferred embodiment of the pushbutton operated wavebandmemory assembly according to the invention includes a waveband selectorplate mounted in a radio receiver. The plate is slidably movable fromside-to-side to two extreme positions representing the two wavebandsreceived by the radio receivers such as, for example, AM-FM bands. Aplurality of memory tabs are pivotally secured to the slide plate andeach tab is associated with a pushbutton of the radio receiver. The tabsare shaped to include a first end having a pair of outwardly extendingwing-like projections and a second, elongated end, the latter endmounted for engagement with a wedge-shaped guide member extending from acorresponding pushbutton. The winged end is mounted for engagement witha second fingerlike projection also extending from the pushbutton.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a perspectiveview of a dual band radio receiver incorporating a pushbutton operatedwaveband memory assembly according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, top fragmentary view of the assembly incorporatedin the radio receiver of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the assembly of FIG. 2 taken along the line 3-3thereof;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a memory tab used in theassembly according to the invention; and

FIGS. 5-8 illustrate thevarious modes of operation of the memoryassembly according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings wherein like numeralshave been employed throughout the various views to designate similarcomponents, there is illustrated in FIG. I and AM-FM radio receiver,designated generally by the numeral ll) and including a waveband memoryassembly according to the invention.

The radio receiver comprises an outer housing 12 in which there ismounted radio frequency selector components (not shown) which areactuable by a manual tuning control knob 14 or by' the depression ofpushbuttons 16. The radio frequency selector components within housing12 are of a conventional type, such as, for example, a treadle bar andcore carriage assembly, and as such form no part of the instantinvention.

A waveband selector switch arm 18 extends from the front panel 20 of theradio receiver 10 and is manually actuable to the AM or FM band positionas desired. The manual selection of a desired waveband may beaccomplished during operation of the radio receiver so that one can scaneither the AM or FM band manually or by the pushbuttons 16 set topredetermined AM or FM radio frequencies.

The radio receiver 16 likewise includes other conventional components,such as, for example, an onoff/volume control knob 22 and an indicatordial 24.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings, there is illustratedtherein a preferred embodiment of the waveband memory assembly 26incorporated into radio receiver 10 according to the invention.

The memory assembly includes a slide plate 23 which extends sidewisewithin housing 12 beneath pushbuttons 16, only one of which is shown inFIGS. 2 and 3. The plate is mounted for sliding movement on studs, suchas 3%, see FIGS. 5-8, received in elongated slots 32 in the plate. Theslide plate 2% is movable to mal position also moves selector switch arm18 to a corresponding setting to indicate the waveband selected to anoperator. While selector switch arm 18 is shown herein as a simplemechanical lever, this is for illustrative purposes only, It should beunderstood that the switch arm may in practice include any number ofsuitable electrical and mechanical switching components required toeffect a change between the AM and FM wavebands.

Mounted pivotally on the slide plate by means of fasteners, such as,v42, are a plurality of memory tabs 44. One memory tab is associatedwith each of the pushbuttons of the radio receiver 10. Only one memorytab and pushbutton combination is shown in FIGS. 2-8. Eachof the memorytabs includes a first end 46 having a pair of opposing, outwardlyextending wing-like projections 46a, 46b. Between the wing-likeprojections there is formed a rounded recess 48. Each of the winglikeprojections 46a, 46b has a cam surface 47a, 47b, respectively, formedalong the free end thereof. The opposite end of the memory tab takes theform of an elongated leg 50 which is tapered to a point at the extremefree end 52 thereof. A typical memory tab 44 according to the inventionis illustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawings.

The memory tab is pivotal about point 42 near the first end thereof,between two positions corresponding to the AM and FM waveband settings,respectively. Pivotal movement of the memory tab to each position isrestricted by stops 54a, 54b, respectively, extending upwardly towardthe memory tab from slide plate 28 and engageable with the elongated leg50 of the tab.

The elongated leg extends outwardly a sufficient distance to interferewith a wedge-shaped guide member 56 extending downwardly from arespective pushbutton 16. Thewedge-shaped member prevents inadvertentmovement of the tab from one band position to the other when thepushbutton is in a normal or intermediate position. Upon withdrawing thepushbutton outwardly from front panel 20 of the radio receiver in aconventional manner from the normal position, for resetting thefrequency recalled by the pushbutton, clearance is provided between theguide member 56 and the end of leg 50 of the memory tab so that thelatter may be pivoted between its two waveband positions.

An actuating rod 58 attached to each pushbutton for movement therewith,includes a depending finger member 60 spaced from guide member 56 andpositioned to engage either one or the other of the winglike projections46a, 46b of the memory tab or to be received in recess 48 therebetweendepending upon the position thereof when the pushbutton is withdrawn. Inany event subsequent to the withdrawal of pushbutton l6, finger 60ultimately is received and comes to rest in recess 48. Thus, if the tabmember is in the position shown in FIG. 5 with the band set in the AMposition,

withdrawal of pushbutton 16 causes depending finger 60 to engage camsurface 47a of the wing-like projection 46a to pivot the memory tabclockwise about pivot point 42 to assume a position as shown in FIG.- 7.Thereafter, an inward motion of the pushbutton 16 causes the guidemember 56 to ride along the edge 62 of leg 50 of the tab member and thusshift the plate 28 to the position it was in when the memory tab wassetby withdrawal of the pushbutton.

vAfter the pushbutton 16 has been withdrawn and one wishes to change theband selection, operation of the band selector switch arm 18 to theopposite band setting moves slide plate sidewise. No interferencebetween the memory tab 44 and finger 60 is present to prevent the lattermovement because, as mentioned above, subsequent to withdrawal ofpushbutton 16 to pivot memory tab 44 about point 42, finger 60 came torest in rounded recess 48 between the wing-like projections 46a, 46b ofthe memory tab. Thus, any sidewise movement of slide plate 28 merelycauses memory tab 44 to be pivoted about point 42 with finger 60remaining in the recess. The latter feature permits one to change theband selection subsequent to withdrawing a pushbutton without the needto reinsert or depress the pushbutton prior to changing the band plateposition.

For purposes of affording a more complete understanding of the presentinvention, it is advantageous now to provide a functional description ofthe mode in which the component parts thus far described cooperate.

With the slide plate 28 in the AM position as shown in FIG. 5, assumeone wishes to depress pushbutton 56 to activate memory assembly 54,thereby to change the radio frequency to a frequency. selected on the FMband as indicated by the position of memory tab 44. Upon depression ofpush-button 16 (FIG. 6) guide member 56 engages the edge 62 of end 50thereof, camming thereagainst to reach a position shown in FIG. 6.Through the camrning engagement of guide 56 and edge 62 of the memorytab, slide plate is shifted to the right and thus into the FM bandsetting indicated by the positioning of memory tab 44.

When it is desired to change the band setting to reprogram a pushbuttonfor a radio frequency on the other hand, one withdraws pushbutton 16from the normal position to the position of FIG. 7 or 8. In the eventthe positioning of the tab 4% and slide plate 23 is like that of FIG. 5,finger 60 will engage the wing-like projection portion 46a to rotate tabmember 44 clockwise about pivot point 42 until finger 69 comes to restin recess 48 between the wing-like projections. Once in the latterposition, slide plate 28 may be shifted either to the AM or FM band asshown in FIGS. '7 and 3 by means of selector switch arm 18. Thereafter,whenever pushbutton 16 is depressed, the slide plate will return to thewaveband selected. Thus, in the case of MG. 7 whenever pushbutton 16 isdepressed, slide plate 28 assumes the position in the AM band setting.Likewise, in the case of MG. 8, the slide plate 2% will always move tothe FM setting. The latter instance is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 asdiscussed above wherein upon depression of pushbutton l6, guide 56slides along edge 62 of the memory tab end 5% to shift plate 28 to theright or FM position.

The new and improved memory tab incorporated in the waveband memoryassembly, provides an efficient and low cost means for selecting adesired waveband in a dual mode radio receiver to be recalled by acorresponding pushbutton each time the latter is depressed. The uniqueconstruction of the memory tab in combination with the waveband slideplate and pushbutton as described herein enables one to alter theselection of a radio waveband while the pushbutton is in the withdrawnposition, thereby making it unnecessary to first depress the pushbuttonand thereafter change the position of the band selector plate prior towithdrawing the pushbutton a second time.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed, it should be understood that the invention is not limitedthereto since many modifications may be made. It is thereforecontemplated to cover by the present application any and all suchmodifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the appendedclaims.

- We claim: 7

1. In a dual band radio receiver includingfrequency selector meanspositionable to a plurality of radio frequency settings and a plurality'of pushbuttons, each operable by movement inwardly of said receiver'tochange the radio frequency setting of said frequency selector means to apredetermined radio frequency setting corresponding to said pushbuttonand to a predetermined waveband, a waveband memory assembly comprisingwaveband selector means movable in a predetermined fashion with respectto the movement of said pushbutton to first and second positionsrepresenting the two wavebands, respectively, received by said radioreceiver, a plurality of memory tabs, one of which is associated witheach of said pushbuttons, mounted on said waveband selector means, eachsaid memory tab having a pair of projections extending outwardlytherefrom in opposite directions with a recess formed therebetween, andeach said memory tab being mounted for pivotal movement on said wavebandselector means to first and second positions representing said first andsecond wavebands, respectively, received by said radio receiver, fingermeans extending from each pushbutton selector for engaging said memorytab and being received in said recess between said projections uponwithdrawing said pushbutton outwardly of said housing when selecting apredetermined radio frequency, said memory tab being movable to eitherof said first and second positions upon withdrawal of said pushbutton inaccordance with the movement of said waveband selector means to apreselected waveband position, and a guide member on each saidpushbutton for engagement with an associated memory tab to shift saidwaveband selector means upon inward movement of said pushbutton to acorresponding preselected position representing one of said wavebands.

2. A dual band radio receiver as claimed in claim 1 wherein each saidmemory tabincludes an elongated leg portion extending outwardlytherefrom in a direction generally opposite from that of saidprojections, said leg portion being positioned-for sliding engagementwith the guide member on a corresponding pushbutton, whereby thewaveband selector means is 31%iiuiffifii'iiiiWhBiiiiiiii fiimed in claim2 wherein said waveband selector means includes a plate member movablein a direction transverse the direction of movement of said pushbutton,said memory tabs being mounted on said plate member for pivotal movementthereon, each said tab being pivotal in opposite directions to saidfirst and second positions, respectively, and wherein each of theprojections on each said memory tab includes a cam surface forengagement with said finger means upon withdrawal of said pushbuttonfrom said radio receiver, whereby when said plate member is in aposition representing a first one of said wavebands, opposite from theposition of said memory tab, said memory tab is pivoted by the movementof said pushbutton outwardly to move said memory tab to a positioncorresponding to the position of said slide plate.

4. A dual band radio receiver as claimed in claim 3 wherein said guidemember is wedge-shaped for engagement with one of the opposite sidesurfaces of said leg portion upon inward movement of said pushbuttondepending upon the position of said memory tab, to move said slide platesidewise to a position corresponding to the preselected waveband settingdetermined by the position of said memory tab.

5. A dual band radio receiver as claimed in claim 3 wherein each of saidpair of projections on said memory tab is wing-like, and extendsoutwardly generally in the direction of inward movement of saidpushbuttons and wherein said guide member and finger means are spacedfrom each other along said pushbutton, so that said finger means isadjacent the wing-like projections and said guide member is adjacentsaid elongated leg portion for engagement thereof upon outward andinward movement, respectively, of said pushbutton.

6. A dual band radio receiver as claimed in claim 4 wherein saidpushbutton is normally in an intermediate position between said inwardand outward positions and wherein said elongated leg portion issufficiently long to interfere with said guide member on said pushbuttonwhen the latter is in said normal position, thereby to prevent acorresponding memory tab from being moved to the opposite wavebandposition inadvertently while said pushbutton is in said normal position.

* i l l

1. In a dual band radio receiver including frequency selector meanspositionable to a plurality of radio frequency settings and a pluralityof pushbuttons, each operable by movemEnt inwardly of said receiver tochange the radio frequency setting of said frequency selector means to apredetermined radio frequency setting corresponding to said pushbuttonand to a predetermined waveband, a waveband memory assembly comprisingwaveband selector means movable in a predetermined fashion with respectto the movement of said pushbutton to first and second positionsrepresenting the two wavebands, respectively, received by said radioreceiver, a plurality of memory tabs, one of which is associated witheach of said pushbuttons, mounted on said waveband selector means, eachsaid memory tab having a pair of projections extending outwardlytherefrom in opposite directions with a recess formed therebetween, andeach said memory tab being mounted for pivotal movement on said wavebandselector means to first and second positions representing said first andsecond wavebands, respectively, received by said radio receiver, fingermeans extending from each pushbutton selector for engaging said memorytab and being received in said recess between said projections uponwithdrawing said pushbutton outwardly of said housing when selecting apredetermined radio frequency, said memory tab being movable to eitherof said first and second positions upon withdrawal of said pushbutton inaccordance with the movement of said waveband selector means to apreselected waveband position, and a guide member on each saidpushbutton for engagement with an associated memory tab to shift saidwaveband selector means upon inward movement of said pushbutton to acorresponding preselected position representing one of said wavebands.2. A dual band radio receiver as claimed in claim 1 wherein each saidmemory tab includes an elongated leg portion extending outwardlytherefrom in a direction generally opposite from that of saidprojections, said leg portion being positioned for sliding engagementwith the guide member on a corresponding pushbutton, whereby thewaveband selector means is moved to a corresponding band setting.
 3. Adual band radio receiver as claimed in claim 2 wherein said wavebandselector means includes a plate member movable in a direction transversethe direction of movement of said pushbutton, said memory tabs beingmounted on said plate member for pivotal movement thereon, each said tabbeing pivotal in opposite directions to said first and second positions,respectively, and wherein each of the projections on each said memorytab includes a cam surface for engagement with said finger means uponwithdrawal of said pushbutton from said radio receiver, whereby whensaid plate member is in a position representing a first one of saidwavebands, opposite from the position of said memory tab, said memorytab is pivoted by the movement of said pushbutton outwardly to move saidmemory tab to a position corresponding to the position of said slideplate.
 4. A dual band radio receiver as claimed in claim 3 wherein saidguide member is wedge-shaped for engagement with one of the oppositeside surfaces of said leg portion upon inward movement of saidpushbutton depending upon the position of said memory tab, to move saidslide plate sidewise to a position corresponding to the preselectedwaveband setting determined by the position of said memory tab.
 5. Adual band radio receiver as claimed in claim 3 wherein each of said pairof projections on said memory tab is wing-like, and extends outwardlygenerally in the direction of inward movement of said pushbuttons andwherein said guide member and finger means are spaced from each otheralong said pushbutton, so that said finger means is adjacent thewing-like projections and said guide member is adjacent said elongatedleg portion for engagement thereof upon outward and inward movement,respectively, of said pushbutton.
 6. A dual band radio receiver asclaimed in claim 4 wherein said pushbutton is normally in anintermediate position between said inward and outward positions andwherein said elongated leg portion is sufficiently Long to interferewith said guide member on said pushbutton when the latter is in saidnormal position, thereby to prevent a corresponding memory tab frombeing moved to the opposite waveband position inadvertently while saidpushbutton is in said normal position.